Jovovich to host Sci-Tech Oscars

Milla Jovovich will host the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' Scientific and Technical Awards Feb. 11 at the Beverly Wilshire in Beverly Hills. Jovovich will present 10 awards to 30 individual recipients during the evening. Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards presentation will be included in the Oscar ceremony, which takes place Feb. 26 and is televised live on ABC in more than 225 countries worldwide. Contact Christy Grosz at christy.grosz@variety.com

Two Beauty and also the Animal Aircraft pilots: Which Reaches Keep your Title?

Beauty and also the Animal Tale as old as time: Two TV rivals find yourself concentrating on the same, competing shows (think ER versus. Chicago Hope). But ABC and also the CW go one step further this winter, ordering two different aircraft pilots entitled Beauty and also the Animal. And really should both projects visit series, neither side will wish to give that title up - setting happens for what is a beastly showdown. The well-identifiable title is really a key reason to complete either of those shows to begin with. Confronted with an untidy TV landscape, network professionals are progressively depending on familiar franchises and series reboots to provide them an advertising and marketing edge. It's unlikely either network may wish to quit the benefit of marketing a simple sell like Beauty and also the Animal. Why not the same as your average title conundrum? Within this situation, each side can lay claim that they can the title Beauty and also the Animal. The CW's drama is dependant on the eighties CBS series starring Linda Hamilton and Ron Perlman. And ABC's show is dependant on the story book, which is a vital title to ABC parent Disney (formerly breeding a success animated movie along with a Broadway musical). Based on entertainment lawyer Aaron Moss, when Disney formerly searched for to join up a trademark for that title Beauty and also the Animal, it ended up with Disney's Beauty and also the Animal. The U.S. Trademark Office noted at that time the phrase Beauty and also the Animal could not be trademarked, because it "signifies a properly-known story book that's within the public domain." "Generally, the first one to make use of a title regarding the a set has superior privileges, as long as the title is becoming carefully connected with this program," Moss states. "However, within this situation, the title is public domain work, and also the law more freely enables using public domain game titles without breaking trademark law." It isn't unusual for 2 competing aircraft pilots to sport exactly the same title simultaneously. But normally they are generic enough that certain from the projects only will change its title - that is what went down this past year at ABC, when two comedy aircraft pilots were known as Guy Up. (Tim Allen's Guy Up was eventually re-named Last Guy Standing.) A TV title could also conflict having a similar one in the box office. This past year, NBC broadcast a sitcom entitled Buddies With Benefits simultaneously that Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis' feature Buddies With Benefits went in theaters. But simply because they were in 2 different mediums (and NBC was burning its sitcom off throughout the dead of summer time), each side made the decision to understate any potential confusion. Within the film world, the Movie Association of America includes a title registration service that can help determine that has the privileges to some certain title. But no such product is in position around the TV side. For the time being, both ABC and CW have the freedom and obvious to call their drama pilot Beauty and also the Animal. The 2 sides will wait to ascertain if another project would go to series, or maybe another network will blink. If both dramas get series orders this might, Moss thinks the 2 systems may likely broker some kind of deal without needing to turn to a mediator. "There might be some equine buying and selling happeningInch between your two sides, with one creating a tweak to the title (possibly adding a producer's or studio title). "You are unlikely to determine a scenario in which the exact same title can be used for shows, despite the fact that it might be legally allowable," Moss states. "From the marketing perspective I do not think anybody may wish to invest lots of money marketing a reveal that would be mistaken with a competing program." States another Hollywood lawyer: "This stuff possess a method of working themselves out... unless of course someone wants to really make it ugly." Sign up for TV Guide Magazine now!

BSkyB squares as much as Netflix in Blighty

LONDON -- The uber competitive BSkyB would be to launch its very own on-demand service because it tries to mind off competition with Netflix and impending U.K. wise TV service YouView. Announcing the move because it revealed six monthly figures that demonstrated a downturn in the amount of new pay TV customers, the paybox's Boss Jeremy Darroch stated the initiative would offer "an exceptionalInch new option to the 13 million U.K. homes that don't buy pay TV. He added: "This cool product launch will develop our early leadership in multi-platform distribution. "It'll let us make our expertise and purchase of content and technology work even harder, stretching our choices for ongoing growth." BSkyB's when needed offer will bow within the first half of the season. Sky Movies is going to be available from the beginning, with sport and entertainment added later around. Customers will have the ability to select from a number of prices options, including limitless monthly pay-as-you-go access. This marks a substantial departure from BSkyB's traditional subscription-based business design. Darroch stated: "Alongside the ongoing development of our satellite platform, this is a different way for all of us to achieve to customers, but might not want the entire Sky service." Netflix has off and away to a powerful begin in the U.K. and also the much-postponed YouView, whose backers range from the BBC and BT, is anticipated to bow late early in the year. BSkyB's six-monthly figures demonstrated the satcaster added 40,000 new TV clients within the second quarter to 12 ,. 31 -- missing analysts' predictions of 58,000 and lower around the 140,000 internet additions within the same period this year. Competition within the U.K. VOD space further elevated on Tuesday as Miramax and paybox BT Vision inked a certification agreement which will build muscle the service's U.S. content for Brit clients. Photos available underneath the deal include "Chicago," "Pulp Fiction," both "Kill Bill" photos, "The British Patient," "Good Will Hunting," "The Gifted Mr. Ripley," "The Aviator" and also the first three instalments from the "Scream" franchise. Digital terrestrial and broadband service, possessed by local telco BT, already offers fare from Warner Bros., Universal and Film4. Diana Lodderhose led for this report. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com

Lindsay Sloane Welcomes First Daughter

Lindsay Sloane Weeds actress Lindsay Sloane is a new mom, People reports.The 34-year-old actress and her husband, Dar Rollins, welcomed daughter Maxwell Lue on Thursday, Jan. 19. This is the couple's first child."We thought we knew what love was until we met her," the couple said.Actress Lindsay Sloane is pregnantSloane, who most recently starred in Season 7 of Weeds, is perhaps best known for her role as "Big Red" in the 2000 film Bring It On.Sloane and Rollins married in 2004.

Jonah Hill Overwhelmed By Moneyball Supporting Actor Nomination

First Published: January 24, 2012 2:46 PM EST Credit: Getty Images LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Caption Jonah Hill steps out at the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, Calif. on January 15, 2012A few years ago, Jonah Hill played everyones go-to sidekick in comedies like Get Him to the Greek and Superbad, but from Tuesday, he is forever known as an Oscar nominee. I feel like Im in a dream still, Jonah told Access Hollywood on Tuesday, just a short while after learning he had picked up a Best Supporting Actor nod for his work opposite Brad Pitt in Moneyball. I didnt sleep all night and then I watched it on TV and Ive just been on the phone ever since Im really, really overwhelmed, I cant believe that this is my life right now. Jonah made the successful leap from comedy to drama with baseball film and hes pleased that Oscar voters recognized his performance. To me, its really amazing, because I think theres very few actors you know, Tom Hanks, Robin Williams I mean two of the most legendary ones to successfully transition from comedy to drama, being able to do both, and you know the fact that it is my second drama, an excited Jonah said. And to get nominated for an Academy Award for it just gives me encouragement to keep making more dramas. Brad reached out to Jonah on Tuesday morning, congratulating his fellow nominee. He just said hes really proud and excited and I felt the same way, you know, Jonah recounted, referring to Brads Best Actor nomination. And I loved [The] Tree of Life, his other film that got him nominated for Best Picture. Excuse me, Jonah added, pausing. Im very overwhelmed. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Wall Street mulls deal's benefits

Wall Street's initial undertake the Lionsgate-Summit Entertainment combination is always that Summit's debt was somewhat more than anticipated. Finance experts also mentioned they want to understand professional-forma equity stake that Summit's entrepreneurs and managers can get inside the deal, additionally with a detail about Summit's financials to have the ability to value the combined company. Lionsgate mentioned the sale was funded mostly through cash on Summit's balance sheet. It didn't say simply how much that amount is, nevertheless it seems such as the amount might be about $240 million, thinking about the relaxation in the $412 million acquisition will probably be taken proper care of via a mixture of Lionsgate cash and stock and bond sales worth $170 million. Summit's existing term loan -- "more than I believed,In . mentioned Ben Mogil of Stifel Nicolaus -- was refinanced getting a $500 million debt facility guaranteed by Summit assets. The lent funds matures in 2016 but Lionsgate mentioned it anticipates payment "prior toInch the maturity date due to the running earnings expected from Summit's business. Lionsgate mentioned the transaction, essentially a utilized buyout, is predicted being substantially accretive to earnings for your 2013 fiscal year starting in April. Mogil had predicted the collective franchise of Summit's five "Twilight" films will come out $1.4 billion in revenue through 2017. Backing out royalties and participation obligations, and marketing and distribution costs, which will mean internet free earnings of $1 billion for Lionsgate over people five years -- excluding merger-related synergies. That leaves lots of money for Lionsgate despite its wise lower Summit's debt. Really, the sale itself, despite being the hookup of two creative content companies, is seen all the time just like a purely a fiscal transaction to make sure Lionsgate a rise of low-risk, fresh cash. "I don't think anybody could argue from it. But it's almost a fiscal investment, some receivables" from 'Twilight,'?" mentioned RBC Capital analyst David Bank. "It's what financial traders do, which males are wonderful only at that,In . he added, mentioning to Lionsgate co-chairman and Boss Jon Feltheimer and vice chairman Michael Burns. "Time will state if there has been better things associated with the moneyInch than buy Summit, Bank mentioned. The emergency for Lionsgate to complete the sale, therefore it has began around since 2008, has elevated some questions. "One will have to request, 'Why can it be essential to enable them to buy this financial resource?'?" Bank mentioned. "Is Lionsgate worried about its earnings continuing to move forward?In . Cash surely will start streaming in from Summit profits around the latest "Twilight" release ("Breaking Beginning -- Part 1"), together with the arrival final installment ("Breaking Beginning -- Part 2," due in theaters in November), as well as in the "evergreen" benefits of a collection that's fairly expected. Because cash outlays for "Twilight" will conclude while using final pic, all subsequent revenue becomes free earnings for your studio. "You'll find always nuances in movies if this involves pay contracts and many types of that. However, you remove plenty of overhead (by mixing methods) and with ease that ($400 million) feels as if a suitable number, mentioned Matthew Harrigan of Wunderlich Opportunities. Numerous experts mentioned, however, by using forget about financial particulars on Summit's business you will never value the agreement with any certainty. Mogil thought the 3 final "Twilight" films will generate revenue of $200 million between 2012 and 2017. The ultimate two will come out first-cycle revenue around $1.2 billion -- minus $200 million from costs connected while using theatrical relieve "Breaking Beginning -- Part 1" and minimum foreign guarantees. He sees the two photos creating additional second-cycle revenue of $200 million. Harrigan features a "buy" recommendation on Lionsgate and contains been predicting a sizable uptick in earnings without or with Summit, partly because of former The brand new the new sony television professional Feltheimer's success round the TV side. He mentioned he sees 2012 as something from the transition year getting a possible triple-digit uptick in earnings in 2013. Lionsgate might be the studio behind cable staples "Weeds," "Mad Males" and "Nurse Jackie." Its new Epix pay-TV partnership with Vital an MGM is lucrative due to its well-timed and groundbreaking output deal with Netflix. All agree the safety of Summit cash is timely just like a hedge against the potential for a disappointing performance by "The Hunger Games." Lionsgate is depending around the greatly over-blown film opening in March and using the Suzanne Collins trilogy to usher in the dollars and launch a effective new franchise. It's a good risk, but nevertheless some risk. Freely exchanged standalone art galleries like Lionsgate and DreamWorks Animation are unusual on television space, in addition to their shares -- and investor sentiment -- can ricochet round the failure or success of just one large film. Lionsgate management can also be pilloried if the moves from half way decent listed photos, most strongly by corporate raider Carl Icahn, who recently attempted but not successful to setup a completely new board to remake the executive suite. The studio had three high-profile poor entertainers a year ago getting a "Conan the Barbarian" reboot, "Abduction" and "Warrior." "The Hunger Games," at $80 million, might be probably the most costly pic ever for Lionsgate. But Hollywood and Wall Street are usually keeping the fact that it'll function as bonanza everyone needs. Mentioned Harrigan: "It's kind of joined happens where there are many doubt, meaning it's a great deal attention popular culture-wise it's almost impossible it won't perform a significant number.Inch Contact the number newsroom at news@variety.com

Daniel Radcliffe Talks Prepping For His Saturday Night Live Debut

First Published: January 13, 2012 3:35 PM EST Credit: Access Hollywood Caption Daniel Radcliffe Talks Hosting Saturday Night Live NY CITY, N.Y. -- Daniel Radcliffe will work his magic as host on Saturday Night Live this weekend and the 22-year-old actor says his past films (namely the eight Harry Potter movies) gave the sketch shows writers a bounty of great material to poke fun at. Theyre just delighted that I bring with me such a rich catalogue of things that can be taken the piss out of, Daniel told Access Hollywood correspondent Jill Martin with a laugh, when asked if hed been the subject of any Harry Potter hazing by the cast during a rehearsal in NY City on Thursday. I think theyre just grateful for that. Daniel, who will next be seen in the horror drama The Woman in Black, said his beloved boy wizard character will definitely make an SNL appearance. Ive been reading the Harry Potter sketches and theres some really, really funny stuff, he said. So, youll see something on Saturday night, certainly. As for whether viewers will hear Daniel speak with his native British charm, the actor said hell be exercising his American dialect skills. I think Im only English doing my normal voice in two or three of the sketches, so yeah, theyll be a lot of American accent, he said. Copyright 2012 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.